Teen girls taking diet pills in ‘strive for ideal’
A survey of the unhealthy eating habits of some teen girls also found two in five do not eat breakfast every day, and almost two-thirds of those who tried dieting said it was to lose weight.
Yet for a generation often portrayed as obsessive about body image, more than half eat treats once a day and more than one third (37%) have one or more fizzy drinks — even though the average 330ml can of coca- cola contains approximately nine spoons of sugar. Sugary drinks are regularly blamed as drivers of obesity — since the 1990s there has been a twofold increase in obesity rates among teenage girls.
Paediatric dietitian Ruth Charles said that she was “shocked, but not surprised” that some young girls take diet pills.
“Young girls are very, very affected by visual advertising and images of what women should look like — based on nothing except photographs — and in striving for this ideal, some take diet pills,” Ms Charles said.
However, she warned that because their bodies are in such a state of flux during the teenage years, there were “potential health risks” in interfering with physical development.
The survey was conducted by Miss Feelgood, a Unislim creation, described as “Ireland’s first dedicated guide to healthy eating, body confidence, and fitness for teenage girls”.
Fiona Gratzer, managing director of Unislim and creator of Miss Feelgood, said the survey highlighted the challenges teenage girls face daily. More than 300 girls aged 12 to 19 took part in the survey.
Other findings include:
- A quarter of girls said they eat just one piece of fruit per day instead of the recommended three for their age group;
- Just 1% said they never have treats;
- 12% said their family never sits down to eat a meal together;
- 40% said they dieted because they wanted to feel more confident, while 35% said they did it to get fitter;
- 45% said they have at least one takeaway a week.
When it comes to exercise, walking is the preferred option for teenage girls, with 76% saying they walk regularly, while 18% prefer to run; 17% play football; 11% go swimming; and 9% play hockey or camogie.
An Irish Sports Monitor Report published yesterday found a higher proportion of females are participating in sport than previously, rising by 3.7% to 42.7%.
However the most notable rise in participation is among those aged 25 to 44.
Miss Feelgood was designed in association with Ms Charles and dietician Sarah Keogh. A nationwide tour, whereby qualified Miss Feelgood ambassadors will visit secondary schools and deliver seminars, is planned.
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